Are You Sending Christmas Cards This Year?

Do you write handwritten Christmas cards and mail them? If so, I admire you. I have a long standing reputation for writing cards and not getting them to the mailbox. They are addressed and stamped, but somehow I just don't get them to the mailbox! One time I found baby shower thank you notes when my son was almost one-year-old.

Lara Casey, whom Sarah and I met at Influence Conference, is a magazine editor for Southern Weddings Magazine. She employs ladies to ensure every subscriber receives a hand written thank you card. 

Although you might enjoy the features of an e-card, there is still something special about sending cards the traditional way. When your family or friend receives your card, they know the thought taken to select the card, purchase a stamp, write the note (in your best handwriting:) and then actually getting it to the mailbox! If you have the same problem as me and don't get your letter in the mail, you can always create personalized online cards to be sent as an e-card or paper card.

Many people secretly enjoy the pleasure of being able to display the cards they have received. Cards have a warming effect, symbols that the receiver is thought of by others. They also provide you with an opportunity to reflect on the year that has just gone too; if you use Christmas cards as a means of keeping your friends informed, writing your news in a card, is a much more intimate experience.

The art of handwriting is dying. Do you know that many public schools aren't even teaching cursive anymore!?! Sending Christmas cards by mail helps keep the art alive. So at Christmas, the static glare of a computer screen really is no match for some loose glitter on a card. When it comes to reaching out to your family and friends, consider a card this season in this instantaneous digital age. ~Julia

This post was sponsored by Tesco.com

Organizing the World's Smallest Closet

This is not quite a transformation as much as it is, making something really pathetic, not quite as pathetic. You see, I have a sad tale to tell. I made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up a beautiful, large closet, to my beloved husband...because he seriously has more clothes than I do! The problem is, I am stuck with a tiny closet, and there is not much I can do to change that. Here is my attempt at improving upon it!   

Seriously, did you notice what I was using to hold my shoes up?

I started by converting the annoying bi-fold doors

into regular opening doors, complete with mirrors!

I bolted both doors together using a small bracket 

on the top and bottom so they wont fold anymore.

I removed the original hardware and screwed this 

magnetic closure in place to catch the doors.

I bought push lights at the Dollar Tree and used 

mounting tape to adhere these mirrors!

I attempted to categorize and color group most items... we'll see how long it actually stays like this!

I busted out the original shelf and clothing rod and moved it up higher (as high as I could possibly reach). Then, I installed a closet shelf like this one, high enough off the floor yet far enough from the other one to hang my clothes nicely. It doesn't go all the way across the closet, so long dresses still hang nicely on the top bar.  

Of course it would not have been an upgrade 

without  fresh paint and new door knobs!

Lastly, since I was in the process of organizing, I got all new hangers (they're so inexpensive) and I went through all my clothing piece by piece. I did some major downsizing of things I have never actually worn, don't fit into or don't really like. My goal was to fit everything in this closet that I actually wear. The only things I put into the guest room closet were out of season items and a select few things I would LOVE to fit back into if I lose any weight. My philosophy has always been, in regards to keeping things that don't fit, only keep the things you really, really like. By the time you actually lose the weight to fit back into that pair of jeans, they will probably be out of style and you'll deserve to buy yourself a new pair anyways!!

{DIY} Lego Storage Solutions

I have three kids that are really into Legos.  Now I am trying to figure out how to keep the pieces from being scattered all over. Let me share with you the best options that took me hours to find!!

Super Quick Clean Up 

This is ingenious. They can play with them and then pull the cord and they are instantly picked up.  I know my son won't play with them perfectly in this space, but he may some of them.  I also think this would be better on a smaller scale for each set and also put the instruction booklet in there with them.

The Lego Shelf
I absolutely love this idea!!

Pull Out Bookshelf Playtime

This is great. This bookshelf was converted to pull out drawers by adding tracks from a hardware store. To make it more Lego friendly, you can add the Lego boards to the bottom of the drawer.

Wall Boards
This is cute, but would be really expensive. Each of these boards are $15.

{DIY} Lego Head - Adorable!
www.obseussed.com

Lego Head - Looks great and is very easy :) just buy it

IKEA Tables turned Lego table!

This shelving unit is very easily accessible.  I love how she took something that most of us have and made it Lego friendly by adding shelves to double the space and also using small storage bins. theorganisedhousewife.com.au

Michael's sells these plastic bin organizers. 

You can sort them by color if you choose.

And you can place instructions in the drawers, too.

Of course you can convert a train table

 Ice Cream Buckets and Printed Lego Pictures

 I hope you were able to find some options that you are able to use right away! ~Julia

Folding Fitting Sheets: The Worst Thing Ever

Ugh, my absolute least favorite thing to do has got to be folding laundry. I don't mind washing the clothes, it's putting them away that is the worst! Guess what, I started training my kids to put their own clothes away at about the age of 3 (oh yes, it is possible!) It's not always pretty at first, but it's good for them to learn responsibility, right??

Now, how about those fitted sheets. If you're like me, you roll them all into a huge ball and store them in a laundry basket at the bottom of your closet. if you want a different solution, here are a few good ideas, and some bad ones too:

http://www.nicegirlnotes.com/seven-undeniable-truths 

Martha Stewart Closet Storage 

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Ways to Fold a Fitted Sheet

Martha Stewart explains how!

Schedules vs. Routine

Get organized in 2013! The free printable calendar pictured on the left can be found here: The Harmonized House. 

I came across a really good list of organizational homeschooling tips the other day at The Well Trained Mind. Tip #8 stood out in particular to me.

Tip #8: If you struggle with ‘scheduling’, try routines instead.What’s the difference between a schedule and a routine? A schedule is generally a timed plan; routines are regular, habitual procedures. Programs and systems that use schedules to get people organized can be wonderful things, and I’ve included some links to popular ones below. If you’ve tried to implement a schedule into your homeschool and found that it didn’t seem to fit with what you were trying to do, try and develop some routines. They don’t have to be done in the same order, or even at the same time each day, but you might set some general guidelines (before breakfast, before lunch, etc.). Experiment with a school routine. Are there things your children can do on their own? Make up a list, and get them in the habit of doing what they can on their own before they come to you. This may take some time to develop, but just as with other worthy habits (diligence, punctuality, etc.), the benefit will be that it will save time in the future.

What about you? Do you have a particular schedule that you adhere to on a daily basis, or do routines work better for your family? I am definitely more of a routine person myself, but sometimes a schedule is what I need to stay on track!

Find lots of free organizational printables at I Heart Organizing

Our friend, Melissa, over at Red Fly Creations 

offers a great printable home organizing notebook! 

The Power of 15 Minutes: Declutter with FlyLady

FlyLady.net is a great resource if you are looking to clean your house and don't know where to start!! She has an idea everyday, and a weekly/monthly plan. In this video, I will show you my favorite concept of hers.

The song that seemed appropriate: "Working In a Coal Mine".  Cleaning may not be quite that bad, but let's just say it's not my favorite :)

Another great resource for picking where to start is at this link RedflyCreations.

~Julia

Convert Disc to Digital for a Better Price Than WalMart! FREE!!

With iPads, tablets, larger hard drives, etc, the desire to have your movies in an mp4 format has grown. The problem is that you have already paid for your movie and don't want to either buy it again or have Wal Mart convert it for $2.  I will show you how to convert it for free on your own.

I am one of the least "techie" people you could know. If I can do it, you can do it!!

~Julia

Use Your Noodle

Quick! Before the Summer is completely gone, hit up your local dollar store for some pool noodles. Did you ever think about how many great things you can make out of a pool noodle?? Here are some of my favorites!

Race Track

Star Wars Lightsabers

Keep your boots looking nice!

Headboard

Marble Race Track

Wreath Form

Cool Yard Games

Shopping Cart Guard

Cool Trick!

Children's Chores Age 5 Cleaning the Bathroom

Whatever you do, do it heartily as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23

As I mentioned in an earlier post,  Children's Bathroom Chores for a 3 year old, chores involve encouraging work ethic and involving them as an activity, so they don't create a bigger mess while I am cleaning.


Natalie is five and learning to wipe the sinks in the bathroom. At this age, it is important to expect her to be able to actually clean the sink. 


Consistency is key. Providing her with an order to clean will (over time) help her be successful when you aren't around.

Supervision is very important. I can give her a specific step and then walk away, but I must inspect what I expect. 





1. Wipe the countertops 
2. Wipe the faucet
3. Wipe around the base of the faucet
4. Wipe around the rim of the sink
5. Wipe out the sink
6. Look to see what    you missed

Often I will tell them a step and then ask them to come find me when they are done.

Each time she cleans the sink I give her something to focus on. Usually, it is what she missed last time. For example, "Natalie when you wipe the sinks today, I'd like you to remember to wipe really well around the faucet." 

Teaching her to clean in a consistent way, and look for things she missed when she is finished.

Praise them with words and kisses!!!

~Julia

Storage Solutions for Stuffed Animals

I really never thought I'd be the mom that let her kids keep so many stinkin' stuffed animals! I always thought an over-abundance of stuffed animals was a little ridiculous, hey, I still feel that way. But, the secret stuffed animal lover that's hiding deep down inside me just seems to cave every time I look into their cute, cuddly little faces. I had seen pictures of the storage system found here and thought it was a great idea! I'm super cheap though, and I may be willing to admit my secret love of stuffed animals, but I'm not really willing to pay money just to keep them around. I had even stumbled upon the tutorial found here, but didn't want to pay for the materials, I just wanted to make something using what I had laying around the house.

Here's what I came up with!

Yes sir, totally works and I totally didn't spend a dime :)

I used 2 crates that were already on hand (their previous contents have found a new home!). I had some scrap wood that I simply cut to length and wrote on using a Sharpie paint pen. I drilled very small holes in the top and bottom of the crates, then pulled ribbon through and knotted the ends. I would have rather used a light weight bungee cord, but all I had were some standard, thick bungees that just didn't look right. I used what I had! I reinforced the knots on each end by covering them in hot glue. I hot glued the "Zoo" sign onto the crates and secured the whole thing to the wall by screwing it into a couple studs. Wallah!

Children's Bathroom Chores Age 3

We can all agree that it is a good thing to involve your kids in household chores at an early age. My first motivation comes from wanting my children to have a good work ethic and eagerness to help. My second motivation comes when I am trying to accomplish tasks and it seems like if I get farther behind because more mess is made during the time I am cleaning. When my kids are helping, they are engaged and enjoying "helping" Mommy.

The problem comes in practical application. What can I get my kids involved in at each age? 

On Tuesdays I have my three- year-old help me when I clean the bathrooms. He restocks my toilet paper. 

First, he gets the toilet paper from the closet. Then he goes to each bathroom and refills the "secret" spots where we store extra toilet paper. He's proud of himself, and I have some extra help. He will be used to helping when he becomes more productive. ~Julia